Search

Tungsten oxide semiconductors are used to photooxidize water. Students prepare WO3, CuWO4, and mixed composition thin film photoanodes. The syntheses are simple, allowing for the quick production of a range of materials. Photoanodes are tested in a photoelectrochemical cell assembled from common equipment, allowing for the direct comparison of photoanode performance. Composite photoanodes perform best, leading to a discussion of what limits overall performance in these materials. Additional instrumental methods such as SEM, EDS, XRD, and diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectrophotometry, if available, can be incorporated readily into the experiment, providing additional insights into material properties. Students are introduced to solid-state chemistry, semiconductors, and the photooxidation of water in the context of the hydrogen economy.

The purpose of this article was to review and evaluate three Australian projects with a focus on smoking cessation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnant women, funded under the Tackling Indigenous Smoking Innovation Grants Scheme, Australian Department of Health. The aim was to determine the impacts of culturally appropriate smoking cessation support for pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. To provide an equity-focused lens to the review, our team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers utilised an Australian-developed assessment tool: the 'Cultural Identity Interventions Systematic Review Proforma'. The tool was used to measure cultural approaches across a range of domains, and these were independently assessed by two reviewers, along with an assessment of the projects' smoking cessation outcomes. The results were compared to the evidence base in relation to aims, methods, results and conclusions, and consensus for scoring was reached. The review found that these Tackling Indigenous Smoking projects about pregnancy intentionally and effectively incorporated culturally based approaches that sought to work with the participants in culturally informed ways. Each project utilised existing social networks and partnerships to provide their participants with access to a range of community resources, adding value to existing programs. Providing an equity lens to measure cultural approaches used in smoking cessation interventions is important. Despite this, there is a research gap between how to provide culturally appropriate support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnant women that meets their needs, is accessible and evidence-based in Australia. We advocate the ongoing use of the 'Cultural Identity Intervention Systematic Review' Proforma tool within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health interventions to assess scientific rigour and ethical standards associated with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research principles and values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trail design and building guidelines are essential tools for influencing the behaviour-and therefore the environmental impact-of users of walking, mountain biking and multi-use recreation trails. Yet, these tools are often not explicitly considered in research that monitors their environmental impact. This is the first study to investigate the role of trail design in shaping how walkers and mountain bikers utilise mountain biking, walking and multi-use trails. The research differentiates trail feature types to examine how they shape user behaviour and, therefore, environmental impact. This observational study uses time-series photographic imagery to examine behaviour and impacts over 12 months. Impacts at each site were examined using current trail building design guidelines. The findings show that shortcuts were commonly employed to avoid long sections on walker-only trails, and to cut across meandering tracks on the multi-use trails in the mountain bike park. Trail spread occurs when walkers use the edges of the trail to avoid rough or uneven surfaces such as stairs and tree roots. Depressions in the trail before technical mountain biking features such as berms and drops were also apparent. Further observations include toilet paper and litter on the walking trails. The research furthermore indicates the unintended environmental impacts when trail users did not adhere to specific trail features or did not use the trails as intended. Unique trail design principles are required where walkers and mountain bikers use the same trails, and this paper provides recommendations for improving trail design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, many programs have been funded to tackle Indigenous Australian smoking. This study assessed what challenges and unexpected responses could occur when developing anti-tobacco messages for Indigenous communities. A cross-sectional telephone survey of organizations involved in making anti-tobacco messages for the target population was conducted in 2012-2013. Open-ended questions explored cultural challenges to message development and unexpected outcomes. Responses were noted and these qualitative data were independently coded by two researchers using an inductive analysis. Non-parametric tests explored associations between organization orientation, whether target group feedback about messages was sought (pre-tests) and the presence of the above factors. The 47 organizations represented included: 22 Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS), 13 government organizations (GO), eight non-government organizations (NGO) and four universities. The response rate was 83%. Cultural challenges were reported equally by organizations oriented towards Aboriginal communities and those oriented towards the general population. Organizations conducting target group pre-tests of the messages were more likely to report cultural challenges (p=0.002). Four main themes were revealed: the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; the selection of rolemodels; conflicts and delays; and unexpected outcomes. Nearly 60% of organizations reported better-than-expected outcomes e.g. community appreciation and pride. A further 40% reported negative responses, e.g. messages being misunderstood or confronting. Cultural challenges and unexpected outcomes are reported by Australian organizations when developing anti-tobacco messages for Indigenous Australians warranting attention to improve the salience of anti-tobaccomessages for Indigenous peoples. NB. In this paper, Indigenous Australians is a term used to refer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the first inhabitants of Australia. No offence is intended. The authors acknowledge and respect that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are diverse populations with different language and cultural groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]